We've seen what Apple could dish up when it came to word processing, and we've seen the competitors bring occasionally impressive functionality to this realm. We've even seen word processing on the iPhone, which, while not glamorous or particularly easy, is still nice. Spreadsheets were likewise a solid contender for data crunching even if there were some major shortcomings in the apps which sought to dethrone Numbers from its rightful place.

The third and final installment is at last at hand. Presentations, the scourge of corporate meetings.

Spreadsheets aren't anyone's idea of sexy. Here's a cell, it adds up other cells; here's a cell, it averages other cells. And so on. In fact, this has long been the underappreciated workhorse in any office suite, but spreadsheets can pack loads of functionality into those little cells.

Just like Word, Microsoft's Excel has long dominated this realm. Apple has a worthy competitor in Numbers, but how does mobile spreadsheet creation stack up? Which mobile software gives you the spreadsheet power you've always wanted? Let's do the math.

Back when it was just the iPhone, there wasn't much demand for mobile word processing, but when the iPad came along, people expected full computer functionality. Apple heeded the call with mobile versions of iWork, but Microsoft Office still remains king of document software. The popular .doc is still the number one format with a bullet, and a variety of office-based software has arisen to handle it.

In our special cage match office productivity App Showdown, we go three rounds to find out who is the undisputed master of the mobile domain, Apple or its competitors.

Apple just released an updated build of their Xcode 4 preview. Why would a person need Xcode, you ask? If you're into developing Mac or iOS applications, it's just about the only way to go. As to why a person would care about the new version of Xcode, it's a massive rewrite, featuring a rearranged application interface, fully integrated Interface Builder -- trust us, it's a huge deal -- a rewritten debugger, and even a new Fix-it feature, which not only knows what's causing the bug in your software, but can actually fix it for you.

No matter what the economy holds in store, there’s never a bad time to start managing your money. It’s a daunting task, but with the right software, your Mac can help. iBank is loaded with tools to help you track transactions, analyze your spending history, create budgets, and generally keep a sharp eye on your finances. But you’ll have to do the hard work yourself, and sometimes that means working around an occasionally frustrating interface.

Since Apple has added Ping to iTunes, I can’t seem to find the genius sidebar or a way to get recommendations for new songs I would like based on a song in my library. Did the feature get moved or removed?

In my household, we have years-old receipts stored in grocery bags, and no memory of who borrowed our favorite, not-made-anymore PlayStation games, both of which could be remedied by a database. Instead of just storing information, a true database acts on it, reminding you about deadlines, dynamically sorting contacts based on upcoming birthdays, and otherwise remixing your data. But iDatabase 1.0 does none of this. You’re better off with the grocery bag.

Very few things will get me out of bed before 5am. Okay, aside from snowboarding, nothing will get me out of bed before 5am. But getting up before the crack of dawn requires a plan. A plan that needs to be mobile and should be as fluid as possible.

Before I even pack my snowboarding bag, I fire up a few snow report apps on the iPhone. Right now my favorite is the North Face Snow Report (free). It’s possible that this is the only nonfleece North Face product I own (further research required). In addition to showing the required weather and snow report, the app also has trail maps and webcams of the resorts. So even if a resort exaggerates its report, you can see the half-inch of snow and decide for yourself if it’s really an “epic powder day.”

The new iPhoto ’11 looks amazing—and that’s a great thing for software that helps you get the most out of your photos. But it’s more than just a pretty face, letting you actually do some pretty amazing things with all those pixels. Apple built in major enhancements to the full-screen mode, slideshow templates, and online sharing tools. But iPhoto isn’t just about zeroes and ones—’11 boasts improved book-design tools and a new letterpress-card feature for those extra-special anniversaries and events, making it that much easier and more satisfying to bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds.

Ever since Apple completely redesigned iMovie back in 2007 to make it more approachable for novice home-movie editors, it’s received a lot of flak from all those who were using the previous version for more pro-level work. But iMovie was never meant for professionals, and that version (iMovie ’08) was ideal for anyone who didn’t know a thing about video editing. As iMovie ’09 came and went, the howling continued, but with the return of audio editing and more to iMovie ’11, the outcry should subside at last.